Past Events

2017 Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Annual Institute

On July 20, 2017, Kevin Abbott, director of Pitt Law’s Energy Law & Policy Institute and adjunct professor of law teaching Oil & Gas Law, presented a paper on dormant mineral laws to over 900 energy industry members, attorneys and energy law professors at the Annual Institute of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The paper will be published by the Foundation later this year.

On March 31, 2017, Pitt Law’s Energy Law and Policy Institute, in conjunction with West Virginia University College of Law and Carnegie Mellon University’s Scott Institute for Energy Innovation, presented a one-day Energy Law and Policy Forum. The topics covered included oil and gas litigation issues, environmental issues, decentralization of the electric industry, and decarbonization of electric generation. Speakers included Professor Keith Hall, visiting professor at Pitt Law, Kevin Abbott, ELPI director, Colette Honorable, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Commissioner, and Gladys Brown, Chair of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

On April 14-15, 2016, ELPI presented a legal conference on legal and environmental issues arising from increased oil and gas production, changes to energy law and regulation, international energy issues, and legal and policy issues related to the rise of renewable energy. The conference was attended by students, energy lawyers, professors, environmental groups and energy industry members. Speakers included three of the leading oil and gas law professors in the nation, leading energy lawyers, environmental and industry leaders, and regulators.

Energy Law Speaker Series

In 2016, ELPI inaugurated the Energy Law & Policy Speakers Series. The speakers in the 2016-17 academic year were David Fisfis, Duquesne Light’s Vice President, Rates and Regulatory Affairs and General Counsel, and Dr. Katrina Kelly, Manager, Strategy and Business Development of Pitt’s Center for Energy. Mr. Fisfis addressed issues related to the electric utility industry, including Duquesne Light’s electric car initiatives, and Dr. Kelly addressed climate change from an economic perspective.